Point of order called on GI mayor

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by Katie Gauthier

Story Created: Jul 25, 2012 at 5:56 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 25, 2012 at 6:32 PM CDT

A point of order was called last night by the Grand Island City Council against the mayor after discussion of the Lincoln Pool. The issue stems over whether the company used for the construction of the new pool should be a local one or from another city.

Grand Island City Council voted unanimously to award the contract to a Lincoln based construction company to build the new pool.

Hausmann Construction of Lincoln had a bid of $1.67 million for the project, which was the lowest bid. But it still cost more than the $1.55 million dollars the city had budgeted.

Mayor Jay Vavricek wants that money to stay in Grand Island.

"I mean, dog gone it, where's the Chamber of Commerce, where's the other local business owners. Where's the other local families that could benefit from those dollars," said Vavricek.

Grand Island city council voted unanimously for a Lincoln based company to build the new Lincoln pool.

"That firm was the low bidder by $11,000. That's the Lincolm firm but when you look at keeping the dollars here, local jobs, city dollars, tax payer dollars. I would sure hope that there's every consideration to make those dollars work here," Vavricek said.

But Councilman Larry Carney says there was no other choice after they put out the bid and the Lincoln company met the specifications.

"They're saying we can do the job as specified for a given amount of money and that money is lower than someone else, we're obligated legally to go with that individual as long as they're qualified to do the job," said Carney.

After council members said Vavricek could not discuss the subject any longer since a vote had already been made, Vavricek said he would veto is so he could continue discussion.

"My intent was to give pause for the decision I chose not to veto it but that's my prerogative," said Vavricek.

The council called a point of order.

"The council had already voted and passed the motion it was a done deal. It's over," said Carney.

But Vavricek says the subject may not be done.

"It has been approved by council, probably will for a lot of reasons be enacted, but it's still not an act in such a way that is couldn't be reconsidered," said Vavricek.

The city administrator position was to be discussed Tuesday night until it was pulled from the agenda. Vavricek had no comment on the subject.

"I'm still getting through the details on the city administrator," said Vavricek.

Councilman Carney says there's a reason the city administrator position issue was pulled off the agenda.

"The letter of resignation submitted by Mary Lou Brown contains a clause that says this resignation does not go into effect until Sept 30th," said Carney.

Meaning if the city had appointed Marlan Ferguson as interim the city of Grand Island would technically have two city administrators at one time.

Carney says there could be some kind of negotiation that might take place with Mary Lou Brown and the city that would be satisfactory for both parties and might open the door to a city administrator or search prior to September 30th.

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